PH batters win 10-inning thriller over Thailand, advance to SEA Games baseball title match

The Philippine Men’s National Baseball Team punched its ticket to the gold medal match of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games with a thrilling 8-7 walk-off victory over host nation Thailand in 10 innings on Wednesday at the Queen Sirikit Baseball Stadium.

With automatic runners on first and second in extra innings, John Matanguihan laid down a successful sacrifice bunt, moving Bong Liguayan and Paulo Macasaet into scoring position.

Thai pitcher Kamolphan Kanjanavisut then walked Liam De Vera on six pitches, loading the bases and setting the stage for the walk-off.

Erwin Bosito delivered a grounder to third baseman Alexander Clark, who fielded it cleanly but made an errant throw to the plate that sailed past catcher Anuchit Lungloek.

This allowed Liguayan and Macasaet to score, securing the win for the Philippines.

The result could serve as a preview of the gold medal match, as Thailand will face winless Malaysia on Thursday to conclude the elimination round.

The Philippines, meanwhile, will battle Laos to close its elimination schedule before advancing to the championship game on Friday.

The Nationals had a chance for a walk-off in the ninth inning with the bases loaded and one out.

Macasaet stepped to the plate hoping to end the game, but grounded into a double play. The ball went straight to pitcher Kanjanavisut, who recorded the out at home before tagging Macasaet at first, sending the game into extra innings.

Bosito led the Philippine offense with three hits in five at-bats, while Steven Manaig, Mark Beronilla, and Jennald Pareja drove in two runs apiece.

Pareja and Manaig combined for a four-run bottom of the sixth inning that gave the Philippines a 6-4 lead, before Thailand tied the game in the top of the eighth.

Amiel De Guzman earned the win, allowing no earned runs over 1⅔ innings to close out the game.

The Filipino pitchers, including Junmar Diarao and Francis Gonzaga, displayed their dominance by striking out 14 batters.

Thai-American Joseph Matthew Daru led the hosts with four hits.